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This one's for 'Baby's' boy

SANDUSKY
More than 115 area businesses, 20 volunteer bartenders and enough bands to play all

Sandusky Register Staff

May 24, 2010

SANDUSKY

More than 115 area businesses, 20 volunteer bartenders and enough bands to play all day and most of the night donated time, money and services Sunday to honor and remember Rachelle "Baby" Baskey.

Baskey, 24, was shot on July 27 by Larry Barnett Jr., 25, of Sandusky, who then turned the gun on himself, according to police.

The two died early the next morning at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

The Benefit Jam began at noon on Sunday at The Pump in Perkins Township. More than 70 motorcycles filled the parking lot outside The Pump, but the majority of the people at the benefit parked at the American Legion and took a shuttle to the bar.

People were shoulder to shoulder inside and filled up tables outside.

"The Sandusky community came out in force," said Paul Baskey, Rachelle's father, who described the turnout as simply "awesome."

Nearly everything at the benefit was donated; from items for the raffle to the portable restrooms. The bartenders donated their time and tips, and the bands played for free.

The day started with a hog roast and corn on the cob, donated by Hermes Farms. The 225-pound hog, cooked by Wick's Bar in Bellevue, was gone within the first hour and a

half of the benefit.

While the final amount raised won't be totaled for a few days, it will go toward a fund for Rachelle's son, Yusef.

"She had a three-year-old son and he is the joy of my life," said Cheryl Baskey, Rachelle's mother. "I think it's a very nice benefit for my daughter and her son. She would be so pleased. Rachelle had a wonderful personality and was a beautiful girl."

The benefit was planned largely in part by the US Military Vets Motorcycle Club of Ohio, many of which knew Rachelle through her family or through The Pump where she was a bartender.

People can still donate to the Rachelle Baskey Memorial Fund at any 5/3 Bank in Ohio.